Old town above waterfalls, in Hunan province, China

Getty Images

Hunan

As the birthplace of Mao Zedong, Communist Party cadres might wax lyrical about the sacred standing of Hunan (湖南; Húnán) in the annals of Chinese history, but it's the province's dramatic scenery that is the real draw. A magnificent landscape of isolated mountain ranges and jagged peaks envelops more than 80% of the province. The most astonishing example is found at the phantasmagorical Zhangjiajie, one of China's most surreal national parks. Here, as in other parts of the province, geological marvels thrust up majestically from green vales fed by tributaries in the fertile Yangzi River basin.


Attractions

Must-see attractions

Articles

Latest stories from Hunan

Filter by interest:

Changsha's busy streets offer a big-city vibe © thipjang / Shutterstock

Family Travel

Changsha for families: visiting Hunan's cool capital with kids

Aug 3, 2017 • 6 min read

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Hunan with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Go Beyond

Hunan and beyond